Bitless bridles?

Hey Guys, Just wondering if any of you ride in bitless bridles?

If so, which do you prefer and why?

I've always ridden with a bit (besides when were playing around) however I've come to the conclusion that my horse and I are "always" playing around now a days.

I used a side pull last week and she went very well. Just wondering what you all prefer?

sorry kiddo, I cant help you......but I think Moonshadow uses one.

I use a sidepull on my mare, but the leather is really hard and its rubbing her face so I'm saving my pennies for this beautiful S Hackmore (IMO) :)

http://www.hought.com/ (left side)

I had a Dr. Cook bitless and I hated the lines going under the chin and Beauty didn't respond very well to it so I sold it.

I like this one too:

http://www.trail-rite.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=85

And I like these sidepulls

http://www.dianathompson.com/dth.s.pull.pg2.html

I don't think I would want to use a hackamore. I understand their mechanics and purpose but for some reason they creep me out.

My friend uses a side pull but she too didn't like the hard nose peice so she actually sewed on a black padded cover. This is the one I used on Willow and there were no nose marks (although we weren't out very long)

The Dr. Cooks look neat but I'm not sure how I feel about the cross under... I personally feel like the give wouldn't be enough!


I like the look of something like this as it looks very strudy!



A friend on mine makes bitless attachments. Rope with knots that works as a noseband and attaches to a headstall and is then tied underneath with a leather chin strap. I am really interested in these but also know that it would need to be fitted to perfection.

Like this one. Any thoughts/opinions?



This one looks like a simple rope halter (but thicker) and then an attachement for reins... I like the look of this and I can ride in a regular halter but there is just too much hardware on it and I find the crown piece slides back and it all moves around too much. This might work?

i've used the rope/noseband type, and find they dont rub, and are quite effective with some horses. i know some dont appareciate the cross-under types due to the tightening, but once you get the noseband/curbstrap combo fitted, they are great.
ask RedBarronBPeppy - she's borrowing mine :)

I used a sidepull when I started my mare last fall and winter. She was losing her caps and didn't like a bit at all. She went very very well in it. I used one that looked just like the 1st picture you posted. It was study and didn't rub anywhere. She is very light mouthed now. But you do have to be careful of the pressure you put on it. I LOVE my sidepull.

I have a Dr Cooks BB...love it...it hasn't rubbed and my guy likes it.

I use the Nurtural Bitless Bridle, I love it, and Bay-lee seems to also.......WIIW, if you are ever up my way, I would be happy to lend you my Bitless to try on your horse..

http://www.nurturalhorse.com/

Where do you get something like that? Do they make any that are more leather looking?

I'm not sure how I feel about cross under as mentioned above, my horse is very sensitive the give would have to be real quick.

this bridel does not get tight when you pull, that is what the piece under the chin prevents, you can haul has much has you want, it does not move, so there is always give......Have a look at the web site, they have really pretty leather ones available..

The tack shop here in Truro has the leather (or leather-look) Nurtural bridle, I was looking at them on Saturday. The were $100.

I have the Bio-leather Nurtural one, and Flicka loves it, but Dealer doesn't like it at all. If your down this way, you can borrow mine to see if Willow likes it too.

We've tried the rope riding halters and did not like those. They ride around on their face too much - maybe we just didn't have them adjusted right but the noseband would ride up near their eyes if you tried to one rein stop.... Right now one of my daughters is using her regular bridle with a rope noseband attached. She has a really pretty one eared bridle and it is working fairly well and her horse who is a bit picky about bits and expecially curb straps seems to go very well in it. It should probably have a chin strap to make sure it doesn't come off.

I'm still working with just a regular ole snaffle. I'd try the rope noseband, but I don't know what has gotten into my guy lately but he apparently left his brain and everything he learned somewhere and hasn't been able to find it - ack we're back to working on going is a straight line, when he is sound enough to get on and at least walk. I am not a happy horse mom and we'll see what the farrier has to say when he comes on Monday.

I can ride Willow a variety of bits. I've used shanks, billy allen tongue relief, french link, copper twisted loose ring, fast twist, regular snaffles and a straight rubber bit.

I don't "need" to use a bitless but I want to because I don't feel I "need" the bit. If that makes any sense? lol

She's super mellow, easy going, and gives to pressure and is very intune to leg pressure. We are not in "training mode" this past year and are just roaming the trails and enjoying the views all one handed without any issues.

I'm not opposed to riding in a bit.. I am not heavy handed and there are times when I'm riding with a friend and literally do not touch the reins for direction. I just honestly feel like we don't need a bit for what we are doing at present.. She's not spooky, nor heavy on the bit. Coming down from transitions is all with voice and seat, she's not lazy but she is not a speedy horse. When she happens to spook she doesn't have that run away flight thing like some do, she stops, stands and stares which I much prefer :)

Next ride I am going to try my friends sidepull (with the covered nose band) and I will see how I like it. When I first started training Willow to ride I used a halter and lead and she did very well walk/trot/lope and trail riding for the first year or so.

I really like a bitless because it allows my horse to eat easier on the trail which keeps her hydrated and keeps the gut moving.

Loving this topic, I've wanted to go bitless for a while.